OBSERVER Photo by Tim Frank Silver Creek’s Nathan Mays competes in the pentathlon 110-meter hurdles on Friday in Middletown.

MIDDLETOWN — The distance from Maple Grove High School to Middletown is about 340 miles.

It didn’t matter to Ethan Verbosky.

The Red Dragon junior captured the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class C 800-meter title Friday on the first day of action with a time of 1:52.60.

It was one of several fine efforts by athletes from the western Southern Tier.

Caden Inkley of Randolph placed second in Class C in the pole vault (15-0); and Tyler McIntyre of Southwestern was second in the discus in Class C (158-2). Meanwhile, Nathan Mays of Silver Creek enjoyed a solid first day in the pentathlon, finishing first among Class C competitors in the shot (44-4.25); third in the 110-meter high hurdles (16.29); and fifth in the high jump (5-9).

Following are the remaining results among local participants:

BOYS

Johnee Thomas of Dunkirk, fifth, Class B 400 meters (49.39); Noah Erickson of Frewsburg, sixth, Class C 400-meter hurdles (57.83); Connor Young of Southwestern, seventh, Class C long jump (21-6.5); Kolten Rhoades of Clymer/Sherman/Panama, ninth, Class C discus (134-0); Jarren Cotter of Jamestown, 12th, Class A 200 meters (22.82); Jorge Rivera Jr. of Jamestown, 13th, Class A discus (147-9); and Jamestown’s Class A 4×100-meter relay team of Angel Martinez, Ayden Samuelson, Cameron Burgess and Cotter, 15th (42.85).

GIRLS

Marlana Cresanti of Southwestern, sixth, Class C 400 meters (58.04); Emma Lewis of Southwestern, eighth, Class C 800 meters (2:18.42); Mikayla Johnson of Southwesetern, 11th, Class C shot (34-11.75); and M’Kenzie Zavala of Southwestern, 12th, Class C 400-meter hurdles (1:09.88). Grace Lennon of Frewsburg advanced to the finals after her performances in the Class C 100 meters (12.57, fifth place) and the 200 meters (26.76, sixth place).

The state championships conclude today.